Container



J. E. VBORAH Nov. 27, 1945.

CONTAINER Filed Margh 1, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 rlll lp lllirz m mm 4 onn 5 F i W M 5 "0w w /7 VIII! A /a F76. /0.

J. E. BORAH Nov; 27, '1945.

CONTAINER Filed March 1, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN L? 5024/71,INVENTOR.

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Patented Nov. 27, 1945 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER John E.Borah, Penn Township, St. Joseph County, Ind.

Application March 1, 1943, Serial No.'477,525

14 Claims.

This invention relates to containers and more particularly to shippingcontainers. storage containers and the like. I

The primary object of the invention is to provide a container which canbe shipped and stored in flat knockdown form, and which can be set up orerected quickly, easily and without the use of securing means.

A further object is to provide a collapsible container whose parts areso interlocked or interengaged when erected as to provide-a strong rigidcontainer. I

A further object is to provide a container of the set-up type whoseparts cooperate in interengaging relation to positively interlock and tosustain all stresses applied thereto in use in a. manner to enhance andcontinuously effectuate said interlock.

Other objects will be apparent from the description, drawings andappended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. I l

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of a frame member usedinthe Fig. 1 embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the container in knockdown or flat condition.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 ofFig. 1 and illustrating one step in the erection of the container.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 6 and illustratinganother step in the erection of the container.

.Fig. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional viewtaken on line I 2-l2of Fig. 11.

*rFig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the Fig. 11 embodimentillustrating the container in partially erected condition.

Fig. 14 lsa fragmentary perspective view of the end panel constructionof another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, ofthe Fig. 14 embodiment of the invention. Y

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to10, inclusive, the container comprises a front wall I0, bottom I I, backwall l2, folding top l3, and ends M. The container is preferably formedfrom corrugated paper board, .solid fiber board, or any other strong,rigid material adapted to be scored and bent. The front, bottom, backand top are preferably formed from a. single rectangular blank ofmaterial which is bent along scored lines l5 (Fig. 5) to form saidparts. i

Rigid frame members iii of the construction best illustrated in Fig. 4,are secured to the edges of each of the front, bottom and back panels.

Frame members 16 are of generally H-form in cross section. Alongitudinal slot or channel I! is formed inone edge of each framemember, of a width to snugly slidably receive a single thickness of thepaper board or other material of which the container walls are formed.One portion l8 of saidmemberdefined by said slot l1 preferably projectsbeyond the end of the other portion a distance preferably greater thanthe thickness of said paper board. A longitudinal slot I9 is formed inthe opposite edge of each frame member, and is of a width substantiallytwice the width of slot l'l. Slot l9 has a reduced width inner portion20. Frames l6 are mounted on the main blank at the front, bottom andback panels with said panels, fitting in slot l9 and inner reducedportion 20 thereof and fixedly secured thereto by means of glue or ofnails or staples driven therethrough at inner reduced width portion 20.The frame members are so positioned that the open or unfilled portion ofslot I9 is inwardly positioned relative to the position of the containerpanels when erected.

The lower ends of the frame members at the vertical panels and both endsof the frame member at the bottom panel are preferably mitered at 2| asillustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The mitered ends permit the solid abutmentof said ends when the container is erected to insure effectivesustaining by said frame members of stresses applied to the container.The corner formed by adjacent ends of abutting frame members is beveledor cut away at 22, to an extent permitting the full opening of the mainblank to flat form. 'As best illustrated in Fig. 9, the ends of adjacentframe members are adapted to slide upon each other tion, the folding offlber illustrated.

Each of the ends ll of the container is formed from a single blank offlber board of generally rectangular shape, which is scored transverselyto define an outer panel 23, an intermediate portion 24, an inner panel25, outer end flange 26 and inner end flange 21'. The end blank also haslateral flanges 28 projecting from opposite sides of outer panel 23 andlateral flanges 29 projecting from opposite sides of innerpanel 25. Theinner end flanges are secured in the slot ll of the frame members l6mounted on bottom panel H by any suitable means, such as glue, nails orstaples, whereby the completed container blank assumes the shape of across when flat.

The container is assembled in the manner best illustrated in Figs. 6 and'7. The front and back walls are held perpendicular to the bottom, andthe end-forming blanks are then raised toward vertical position withperpendicularly bent flanges 28 thereof being directed and inserted intogrooves ll of the front and back frame members.

When the outer panel reaches vertical position, its side margins willbear against portions of the outer edges of frame members It, andflanges 28 will flt snugly in grooves II to hold the front and backwalls in parallel vertical position. The endforming blank is then bentto position intermediate portion 24 horizontally, with itsmarginsbearing upon the upper edges of frame members I6. Inner panel 25is then bent downwardly, with the flanges 29 bent perpendicularlytherefrom seating in the open portions of grooves IQ of the verticalframe parts. As the inner panel approaches vertical position, inner endflange 2l enters the open portion of the groove IS in the bottom frame.As above mentioned, the grooves in the frames receive the variousflanges snugly, though permitting sliding of the flanges therein tofacilitate insertion and removal. Since the flanges are folded from theend-forming blank, there is a certain tendency thereof to return to flatcondition, and this serves as a spring action to hold the flanges inplace within the frame grooves if the grooves are slightly wider thanthe thickness of the fiber board. All exposed surfaces of ends l4 aresmooth, which eliminates the possibility of accidental release of theparts from operative interlocked relation. Also, in use, the applicationof pressure at any exposed face tends .to press the flanges more firmlyinto their receiving grooves. Consequently, when the container is setup, its parts are interlocked or self-locked, and no securing means arerequired to maintain or hold it erect. Notealso that each of the frontand back walls is held erect by the interlock of two flanges with itsframe at each end.

The top panel may have a flange 30 at its free edge, for sealingpurposes. Sealing may be ac complished by means of latches havingcooperating or interengaging parts carried by the top and by the upperportions of vertical container walls; or by means of staples, wire orstrap bindings, or any other conventionalor desirable sealing means,

The container is very strong, by virtue of the U-shaped reinforcingframe formed by members l6 at each end, and also by virtue of the doublethickness end construction. Note, also, that the corners and edges ofthe container, which are the critical points at which breakage orfailure occurs in a large percentage of all cases of failure of fiberboard containers, are all reinforced by the wood frames or by multiplethicknesses of the fiber board. In the case of the framed edges, theportions l8 of frame elements I6 may project beyond the plane of theouter face of outer end panels 23 to enhance the protective function ofsaid frame elements. In the event a positive reinforcement .at all topedges of the container is desired, the margins of the top panel l3 maybe secured in grooves 3| in reinforcing bars 32 of U-shaped crosssection, as illustrated in Fig. 10.

.Wherethe container is to be re-used, so that collapse thereof tofacilitate return shipment in compact flat form is desirable, suitablemeans maybe provided to facilitate the collapsing operation. Asillustrated in Fig. 2, one or more small holes 33 may be formed in theinner end panel 25 adjacent the lower end thereof, into which the usermay insert his fingers to obtain a purchase suflicient to effect theoutward pull required to withdraw flanges 21 and 28 from the framegrooves. The container can thus be folded to flat form easily andquickly without breakage thereof or damage thereto, which wouldinterfere with or prevent re-erection of the container or re-usethereof.

It will be noted that a chamber is formed at each end of the container.This can be used in a'num'ber of different ways. Thus it can be used asa receptacle for a refrigerant or for an agent for treating, preservingor protecting the container contents. In some instances where theproduct to be shipped or stored includes a part which may be separatedfrom other parts, such part to be separated may be placed in the endcompartment by forming access or filling openings in end portions 24 or25. The end chambers may also form ventilating means by having openings34 formed in staggered relation in inner end wall 25 and outer end wall23, thus avoiding danger of exposure of the contents, such as fruit, todirect impact from the exterior of the container.

Another feature of the container is its simplicity. Thus by using threefiber board blanks, and forming multiple panels or walls from eachblank, the number of parts is held at a minimum. Also, the constructionand arrangement of the frame elements holds the required number thereofand the number of permanent connections between between blanks and frameelements at a minimum. The frame members are well adapted to be formedfrom wood, although they can also be formed from plastic material, metalor other material, if desired. It will also be noted that the containercan be formed from a single blank by cutting. the same in the outlineillustrated in Fig, 5. In this case, frame members are required only atthe edges of the front and back panels, and the same self-lockingarrangement of parts described above is achieved thereby.

An embodiment of the invention in a container formed of wood, metal orother non-bendable material is illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13. Thecontainer has a, front panel or wall 40, bottom 4|, back panel 42, top43, each preferably with beveled edges and pivotally connected. As here11- lustrated flexible fabric strips 44 are secured to the margins ofhinged panels at the outer faces wall panels 41. The adjacent edges ofthe parts of the end wall structure are preferably hinged exteriorly,and are of beveled or mltered formation. The parts 45, 45, 41 are of alength to fit between the front and back panels 40 and 42,

when the container is erected. 'The front and back panels 40, 42,fixedly mount verticalcleats 48 of L-shape in cross section adjacenteach end at the'inner face thereof. Cleats 48' are preferably spacedfrom the vertical edges a distance equal to the thickness of end panel.45,.and are so positioned'that one leg 49 thereof extends in spacedparallel relation to the panel mounting the same and in an inwardlyextending direction. The inner end panels 41 mount cleats 50 of athickness substantially equal to the spacing between the adjacent facesof legs 49 of cleats 48 and the panel which mounts the same. Cleats 50are positioned at the outer ends of panelsflat the face thereof which ispositioned outwardly when the container is erected. Inner end panel 50also has finger holes therein.

This embodiment of the invention possesses the same primary advantagesas outlined above.' Thus the container can be erected without the use ofsecuring. means, being held erect by the insertion of the cleats 50between the legs 49 of cleats 48 and the walls which mount the latter asillustrated in Fig. 11. All applied stresses in normal use of thecontainer act to maintain the parts in their interlocked relation. Thecontainer is collapsed by swinging inner end walls inwardly to disengagecleats 48 and 50, as accommodated by finger holes 5|.

Another modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 14and 15, wherein the construction and interconnection of front panel 40,-bottom 4|, back panel 42 and top 43 is the same as in the embodimentshown in Figs. 11 to 13. Also cleats 48, 49 are secured to the front andback panels in the same manner and position described above. The endstructure comprises a single panel 55 hinged at 56 to an end of bottom41. An eyelet 51 or other rigid member is fixedly mounted at the twoupper corners of panel 55 to project inwardly therefrom, and a bar 58 ispivoted to the inner end of the eyelet at 59. In the embodiment, whenpanels 40, 42 and 55 are erected to operative vertical position andrelation, bars 58 can be pivoted to vertical depending positionwithin'the receiving grooves formed by cleats 48, 49 to effect interlockof said vertical panels.

I claim:

1. A container comprising at least three panels interconnected in a unitand shiftable about parallel axes between operative and flat positions,cleats secured to the ends of two normally opposed panels and defininginwardly facing grooves, and end structures closing the ends 'of saidcontainer and each comprising an end panel pivotally connected to thepanel intermediate said cleated panels and bearing against the outeredges of said cleats and locking means pivoted to the upper end of saidend panel and including an elongated member depending at each sidethereof to fit within said grooves to lock said first named panels inoperative relatively perpendicular position.

2. A container comprising front, bottom and back walls'interconnected ina unit and shiftable between operative and fiat positions, end walls,one end wall being pivotally connected to said bottom, hacking meanspivoted to the upper end of said end panel and including elongated partsdepending at opposite sides thereof, rigid retainer members secured tothe margins of said front and back walls for engagement at their outeredges by said end panel and each defining an inwardly facing grooveadapted to receive an elongated part of said locking means, and meansfor connecting the other bottom and back walls.

3. A container comprising at least three walls interconnected in a unitand shiftable about end wall to said front,

1 parallel axes between operative and fiat positions,

end walls, at least one end wall comprising inner and outer panelsinterconnected in aunit and shiftable about parallel axes betweenoperative and fiat positions, saidouter panel being pivotally connectedto one end of an intermediate wall of said first unit, frame memberssecured to the walls of said first unit on opposite sides of said lastnamed wall, said frame members being interposed between said inner andouter panels and each defining at least one longitudinal groove, andlocking members projecting perpendicularly from the opposite edges ofone panel and normally seating in said grooves.

4. A container comprising front, bottom and back walls interconnected ina unit and shiftabie between operative and flat positions, end walls, atleast one end wall comprising inner, intermediate and outer panelsinterconnected in a unit and shiftable between operative and fiatpositions, said outer panel being pivotally connected to one end of saidbottom wall, vertical frame members secured to the front and back wallsand interposed between said inner and outer panels of said end wall unitand each defining a longitudinal groove, and locking projections carriedby the vertical margin portions of one end panel and seating in'saidgrooves.

5. A container comprising at least three panels formed from a singleblank and foldable along parallel scores to andfrom operative and fiatpositions, end walls, at least one of said end walls comprising a blankhaving parallel scores defining outer, intermediate and inner panels,said outer end panel being pivotally connected with an intermediatepanel of said first blank, rigid frame members secured to the margins ofpanels of said first blank on opposite sides of said intermediate paneland each having a longitudinal groove, said end blank being. normallyfolded around said frame members with the margins thereof bearingagainst the edges of said frame members, and flanges bent from oppositeedges of one panel and seating snugly in said grooves.

6. A container comprising at least three panels,

formed from a single blank and foldable along parallel scores .to andfrom operative and flat positions, end walls, at least one of said endwalls comprising a blank having parallel scores defining outer,intermediate and inner panels, said outer end panel being pivotallyconnected with an intermediate panel of said first blank, rigid groovedframe members embracing the margins of the panels of said first blank onopposite sides of said intermediate panel, said end blank being normallyfolded around said frame members and bearing against the edges thereofat itsmargins, and flanges bent from opposite sides of said inner endpanel and seating snugly in said frame grooves.

7. In a container having front, bottom and back walls and an end wallfoldable to and from operative and flat positions, frame members carriedby the end of each of the front and back walls adjacent said end. wall,each frame member having a vertical groove, said end wall includin innerand outer panels and being foldable around said frame members with themargins of said panels bearing against the inner and outer edges of saidframe members, and vertical flanges projecting from one end panel andseating snugly in said grooves.

8. In a container having a plurality of walls foldable to and from fiatand relatively perpendicular relation, a pair of opposite walls eachmounting adjacent one end thereof a frame member having a longitudinalgroove, an intermediate wall including a plurality of panel portions andbeing foldable around said frame members, and flanges projecting fromthe edges of one panel portion and fitting snugly in said grooves.

9. In a container, a fiber board blank having spaced parallel scoresdefining at least three container walls, a frame member secured to themargin of each wall at one side of said blank, a second fiber boardblank having spaced parallel scores and carried by the intermediat framemember, each frame member having an inwardly facing groove, said lastnamed blank being foldable around said frames, and flanges projectingfrom the sides and free end of said last named blank and seating snuglyin said frame grooves.

10. In a container, a fiberboard blank having spaced parallel scoresdefining at least three container walls, a rigid frame member secured tothe margin of each wall at one side of said blank, each frame memberdefining an inwardly and an outwardly'facing longitudinal groove, asecond fiber board blank scored to define three panels, and flangesprojecting from the ends and sides of the panels at opposite ends ofsaid second blank, one end flange being secured in the outer groove ofthe intermediate frame member, said second blank being foldable aroundsaid outer frame members with said side flanges fitting snugly in thegroove thereof and the flange at the free end of said blank fittingsnugly in the inner groov of said intermediate frame member.

11. In a container, a fiberboard blank having spaced parallel scoresdefining at least three container walls, a rigid frame member secured tothe margin of each wall at one side of said blank, each frame memberdefining an inwardly and an outwardly facing longitudinal groove, asecond fiber board blank scored to define three panels, and flangesprojecting from the ends and sides of the panels at opposite ends ofsaid second blank, one end flange being secured in the outer groove ofthe intermediate frame member, said second blank being foldable aroundsaidrouter frame members with said side flanges fitting snugly in thegrooves thereof and'the flange at the free end of said blank fittingsnugly in the inner groove of said intermediate frame member, said framemember being of generally H- shape in cross section with the innergroove of a width for at least a portion'of its depth sufficient toreceive an edge of said first blank and a flange of said second blank.

12. In a container, a fiberboard blank having spaced parallel scoresdefining at least three container walls, a rigid frame member secured tothe margin of each wall at one side of said blank, each frame memberdefining an inwardly and an outwardly facing longitudinal groove, asecond 4 fiber board blank scored to define three panels, and flangesprojecting from the ends and sides of the panels at opposite ends ofsaid second blank, one end flange being secured in the outer groov ofthe intermediate frame member, said second blank being foldable aroundsaid outer frame members with said side flanges fitting snugly in thegrooves thereof and the flange at the free end of said blank fittingsnugly in the inner groove of said intermediate frame member, said framemembers having beveled edges adapted to abut when said container iserected, the

, outer tapered end portions of the ends of said frame members being cutaway to accommodate collapse of said first blank to fiat form.

13. In a container formed of fiberboard of predetermined thickness, anedge reinforcing and interconnecting grooved rigid frame member ofH-section, one of said grooves being of a narrow width to snugly receivea singlethickness of said fiberboard and the other being of a width toreceive a double thickness of said fiberboard, the legs of said framewhich define said narrow groove being of different widths.

14. In a container formed of fiberboard of given thickness, a rigidreinforcing frame member of H-shape in cross section, one groove beingof a width for a portion of its depth to receive a double thickness ofsaid fiberboard the inner portion of said first named groove and theother groove being of a width to receive a single thickness of saidfiberboard.

JOHN E. BORAH.

